Top MBA Programmes With GMAT/GRE Waiver in 2023-24

Top MBA Programs With GMAT/GRE Waiver: Many top-ranked foreign universities made submission of GMAT or GRE scores optional amid the Covid-19 pandemic. While some decided to go back to their normal MBA admissions criteria, many continue to accept MBA applications without GMAT or GRE scores.

Candidates, with or without a remarkable academic background, often dread taking one of these challenging entrance exams. However, the ongoing trend of universities waiving off GMAT/GRE scores for MBA abroad has only made applicants' lives easier.

Prominent institutes including MIT, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Virginia, to name a few, have invited applications from international MBA aspirants who do not have GMAT/GRE scores but do meet other requirements such as work experience, degrees or achievements, etc. Read on to find the list of the top MBA programs without GMAT or GRE scores.

Can You Study MBA Abroad without GMAT/GRE?

Yes, you can now study MBA abroad without GMAT or GRE scores. While many business schools insist that you take the GMAT or GRE for a standardised score to help in the admission process, some have waived off GMAT and GRE scores.

Those who have not obtained a good score on GMAT/GRE, or do not wish to spend time in preparation, can study MBA in Canada without GMAT and MBA in Germany without GMAT. There are business schools in other countries that provide the same opportunities to the students.

The colleges that accept international students for MBA without GMAT/GRE scores focus on academic records, work experience and skills and curricular, extracurricular and volunteer activities of the applicants.

Why Take GRE/GMAT MBA Admissions Abroad?

You can choose to take the GRE/GMAT MBA admissions abroad even if the university is test-optional. The reasons why taking GRE/GMAT is a smart choice include:

• GMAT/GRE tests the skills of the students that are essential for a successful career in management and business. Students can take the GMAT/GRE exam to assess their abilities before leaping into the study of an MBA.

• GMAT/GRE scores are extremely reliable scores for tests accepted by almost all universities across the globe. The test scores help the admission officers choose from a bunch of bright candidates with high GPAs.

• The scores of the GMAT or GRE are an indicator of the students' motivation, commitment and capacity to be successful. They increase the chances to get into the top universities which treat the scores as a major criterion for the admission of international applicants.

MBA Admission Process without GRE/GMAT

Students who want to know the admission process of an MBA with a GMAT waiver or an MBA with a GRE waiver can apply in the following way:

• List down the universities and b-schools that do not require GRE/GMAT scores for admission.

• Check out the admission intakes available at the universities and complete submitting the application before the application deadline.

• Upload supporting documents such as:

  • GPAs of the previous courses

  • Work Experience certificate

  • Essays or Statement of Purpose (SOPs)

  • Letters of recommendation (LORs)

  • Academic Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Shortlisted candidates can be called in for an interview.

Alternatives to GMAT/GRE to Study MBA Abroad

Aspirants who want to study MBA without GMAT or want to do MBA with a GRE waiver can opt for schools that do not require the scores and consider applications based on other factors. They can also choose other modes of MBA if they do not wish to join full-time MBA programs. A few alternatives are given below:

• Online MBA: Professionals who do not want to take a gap year can opt for an online MBA that helps to get an MBA degree in online mode. They can gain mastery in business, get leadership skills and build global networks. The courses give students the opportunity to interact with professors and get personalised attention.

• Part-time MBA: The scope of a part-time MBA is increasing throughout the world and is being promoted by the corporate world to increase the efficiency of their employees. The course takes 2 to 3 years to complete.

• Executive MBA: An Executive MBA is specially designed to last for one year. Some colleges extend it up to 18 months. The course focuses more on nuances of business rather than theories of business.

Full-Time MBA Programmes Waiving GMAT/GRE Scores 

If you fulfil a school's qualifying standards and/or are having difficulty taking the exam or demonstrating your ability adequately through the exam, you may wish to pursue the test waiver option. For a school that is providing waivers exclusively for a pandemic or safety reasons, you will need to provide a real cause for not having been able to take the exam. For schools that are giving waivers to candidates who can give an alternative proof of their ability, if you feel confident in your evidence, and you either cannot take the exam or you score below the school’s averages, the opportunity to request a waiver is worth considering.

The table highlighted below will provide you with an extensive list of top MBA colleges abroad that are offering MBA programmes with GMAT/GRE waivers to international students. 

Note: The list is dynamic and is updated as and when announcements of waivers are made by universities.

Should You Take GRE/GMAT for MBA Abroad?

As said previously, studying abroad is a desire of most students and the GRE or GMAT is one of the most important qualifying requirements that foreign students must achieve to pursue popular master's or MBA degrees overseas. Prospective MBA students have the choice to submit either GMAT or GRE scores for their business school application. Both exams are accepted as part of the admission or eligibility criteria for enrolling in an MBA programme at many business schools all over the globe.

GMAT test is meant to examine analytical writing and problem-solving abilities with logic and critical reasoning skills that are vital in real-world business and management success. It is accepted by over 6,000 business and management programmes in over 2,100 institutions and universities in 114 countries worldwide. It has around 600 testing centres throughout the world.

Prospective graduate and business school applicants from all around the world who are interested in pursuing a Master's degree, post-graduation, MBA, specialised Master's degree in business or doctoral degree, can take the GRE revised General Test. The GRE revised General Test is available at more than 1,000 test centres in more than 160 countries. The computer-delivered test is available continuously throughout the year in most parts of the world.

In conclusion, both the GRE and the GMAT may be utilised to get admission to management schools; therefore, one must examine the details of both examinations to determine which is most appropriate for the individual to increase their chances of admission into a world-class b-schools to study MBA abroad. 

Have doubts about MBA programmes with GMAT/GRE test waivers? Write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com for further guidance.